Awards like this are so cool to me that Entrepreneurs are the ones granting them (not governments, or presidents…. or countries like you might expect). So cool to see those that have changed the world and also been so successful that they give back in new and empowering ways. The Gates foundation….. the wealth from those mega rich that can do so much good…. just amazing. It should all give us a new sense of hope on where the future might by shaped by….

It is good to see more prize money going into biology. However, we need to ensure that the money funds science that is being done for the sake of discovery, and not necessarily just for business applications. You never know what discovery could end up being a paradigm-shifting discovery.

I applaud Art, Sergey, et al for recognizing these stellar talents (it’s truly a great list of researchers) with this money.

BUT here’s an even better use of this money in biology. Please consider making similar awards (many but smaller amounts) to young researchers (say, under age 32) at the start of their careers (eg to post-docs). I want to see the NEXT generation’s research nourished.